We have never been more fortunate than we are today to have a University of South Carolina regional campus located in our community. Lancaster has gone through a world of change since our campus was founded in a stately home on White Street in 1959.

Then we were a growing and successful textile town with community leaders with the foresight to see the need to establish a two-year campus in our midst. Then and now, Lancaster County continues to be a wonderful place to live and to raise a family. However, things have changed, some for the better and others for the worse.

I would like to take a moment and tell everyone about a recent week. On July 17, I left Lancaster County going to Seneca for the S.C. Dixie Softball State Tournament. Along with me were 12 of the best 13, 14, 15 and some 16-year-old young ladies I have met so far in my life.

I would like to thank everyone who gave so generously to the United Way of Lancaster County 2008-2009 Campaign. Without our loyal supporters, we would not have been able to come so close to reaching our goal. Your dollars are truly making a difference, right here at home, to impact our community in the areas of education, health and income.

This year, your support is especially needed to support the aging and vulnerable populations, as well as others whose lives have been affected by job losses in our county due to the economic downturn.

This letter is in reference to the article, “Lancaster’s last ‘full service’ filing station closes its doors,” in the July 19 edition of The Lancaster News. No where in the article was the mention of one of the most memorable employees, Paul “Big Reed” Barnes, my dad. He worked there for more than 30 years.

Enough is enough. Despite losing recent battles over TARP, the “porkulus” bill, cap and tax and the recent personal failings of several conservatives in leadership positions, there is no time to mourn.

While the statist agenda, charging ahead full bore, has pushed conservatism back, there is too much at stake for inaction. We must draw the line here: This far, no further.

The U.S. House of Representatives, with the vote of our Congressman John Spratt, passed the so-called cap-and-trade bill, which will increase our electric bills by an estimate of 50 percent. The bill passed with just a 12-vote margin.

The safe fat cats on Wall Street who drove this country to the brink of financial ruin will be in charge of how much your bill will be.

I would like to respond to Danny Faulkner’s letter, “Focus should be on issues, not insults,” in the July 31 edition of The Lancaster News.

Mr. Faulkner, I have a few facts and questions for you. When Bill Clinton left office in 2001, we (the United States) had a budget surplus. George W. Bush took office and eight years later the economy has been driven in the ground like an Idaho potato. The only TEA parties we heard about during Bush’s tenure are the ones little kids took their baby dolls to.